Shelter offering $10,000 reward after abuse of 'Justice' the pit bull

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Justice was found badly burned on Nov. 2, according to IMPD. Police are seeking the public's help in finding whoever is responsible for the pit bull's injuries.(Photo: Provided by Shelby County Animal Shelter)

A 2-year-old pit bull found severely burned more than a month ago is on the mend.

When an animal control officer responding to a report of an injured dog found "Justice" in Shelby County on Nov. 2, he had injuries to his head, ears, neck, eyes and other parts of its body, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said in a news release Tuesday.

The injuries were consistent with being burned, police said. Chemicals used to burn the tan male dog had caused his skin to die and slough off, the Shelby County Animal Shelter said in a Facebook post.

Justice has been recovering since then, the shelter told IndyStar, but it will be at least a year before he can be adopted. Meanwhile, the shelter and police are seeking answers in the abuse of the animal, who was found with a pink collar with no tags and no microchip, according to the news release.

The shelter is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Justice’s injuries, the shelter and IMPD said Tuesday. The reward was made possible in part by monetary donations that have come in after Justice was found, Chris Browder, who works at the shelter, told IndyStar.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for injuring Justice, a pit bull found badly burned last month.(Photo: Provided by Shelby County Animal Shelter)

Though there have been some setbacks in his recovery, Browder said, Justice is doing well. In a Facebook post, the shelter said he is starting to grow healthy tissue.

"They aren't sure if his fur will grow back completely," the post said, "but he does have some peach fuzz coming in on his darling chin."

Browder told IndyStar Justice is eating again after he was "constantly vomiting," which came as a result of Justice ingesting the chemicals and wounding his esophagus.